The BLOG for dedicated runners

"I was running from rejection, from being orphaned…. The Indians called me mixed blood. The white world called me Indian. I was running in search of my identity. I was running to find Billy." -Billy Mills

I'll never forget the very special day my dad shared the movie “Running Brave” with me. I was in first or second grade and had just started running track. This movie is the real life story of Olympic gold medalist and Lakota Sioux orphan Billy Mills. “Running Brave” depicts Billy's struggles and successes leading up to and surrounding his 10,000 meter run in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. His victory is still considered one of the greatest upsets in sports history and was an Olympic record.

Seeing this movie was the first time in my life that I thought about how running could impact and change my life, rather than just being something I did. Like Forrest Gump said about his running, “I never thought it would take me anywhere.” “Running Brave,” which was written by Billy and his wife, seemed to sink in at a cellular level somehow, telling my heart and soul that running was medicine and prayer and so many things wrapped in one....

Dealing with adversity

Throughout the movie, Mills struggles with issues of racism, feeling lonely and isolated, and living in between two worlds (the reservation and “the white world”). At 7 years old, I didn't know anything about this stuff, but, like I said, somehow Billie's struggles and breakthroughs got in my muscles and bones. I really, truly believe that his story elevated running to another dimension for me. I think I resonated with his natural talent, work ethic, and, well, awkwardness.

Something good happens to you when you learn the secret: that sports has nothing to do with ribbons, tropheys, and records. It has only to do with looking in the window of your soul and liking what you see. In my track season after seeing “Running Brave,” I went undefeated in three events, then got mononucleosis.

I had earned a good enough time in the 200 meter to qualify for the State meet. After laying in bed for weeks, I went to the State meet. While I was there I got dizzy just being in the sun. Warm-ups made me feel winded. But it was too late, at 8 years old, I already loved running too much. I was miraculously able to qualify for the finals and didn't finish last—still amazes me! I remember my dad carrying me to the car after I ran because I was so weak.

Redemption

A bittersweet taste of running's sting is a critical part of any runner's development. Nobody knows that better than Billie Mills. Mills was a “nobody” in the running world in 1964. In the last lap, Billy got elbowed by another runner causing him to stumble and lose time. He kept going, and, in the last 50 meters of the six-mile race, he overtook two accomplished runners to set a new personal best by almost a minute and win gold. It was the moment of redemption and salvation that put all the puzzle pieces of his life in place.

I'll be forever thankful to Billie Mills and “Running Brave” for showing me the glory and transformative power of running. I feel that seed with me in every race, every run—thankful that I'm involved in something bigger than myself.